Hair styling apparatus with novel bristle configuration

ABSTRACT

A hair styling apparatus ( 10, 100 ) includes a head member ( 14, 102 ) defining a longitudinal axis and a plurality of bristle members ( 16, 112 ) mounted to the head member ( 14, 102 ). At least some of the bristle members ( 16, 112 ) have an elongated generally tapered body segment ( 34 ). The tapered body segment ( 34 ) of the at least some of the bristle members ( 112 ) may include at least one aperture ( 114, 116 ).

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a hair styling apparatus, and, in particular, relates to a hair styling apparatus having a novel bristle arrangement adapted to massage the scalp and provide an increased surface area to treat hair with, e.g., coatings, hair treatment solutions or the like.

2. Background of the Related Art

Various hair styling devices are commonly known in the art including hair brushes, combs and hair dryers. Examples of such hair styling devices are disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,562,466, 7,308,899, 7,204,038, 5,868,148 and Des. Nos.: 508,777 and 514,329, the entire contents of each disclosure being incorporated by reference herein.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the present invention relates to further improvements in hair styling devices or apparatii. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a hair styling apparatus includes a head member defining a longitudinal axis: and a plurality of bristle members mounted to the head member. At least some of the bristle members have an elongated generally tapered body segment. The tapered body segment defines a dimension at a first end segment proximal the head member greater than a corresponding dimension at a second end segment remote from the head member. The tapered body segment may include one planar side extending between the first end segment and the second end segment, and, may further include first and second opposed planar sides. The first and second planar sides may be arranged in general orthogonal relation to the longitudinal axis of the head member. The tapered body segment may be dimensioned to define a substantially linear taper.

The second end segment of the bristle member may define a narrow profile and is dimensioned to massage a scalp of a user. The second end segment may define a substantially arcuate end surface.

A handle member may be connected to the head member. The handle and/or the head member may include a heater mechanism and a blower mechanism. The blower mechanism may be arranged to deliver air through the head member. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the tapered body segment of the bristle members may include an aperture to facilitate circulation of air emitted by the blower mechanism. The tapered body segment may include two apertures therethrough. In another aspect, the tapered body segment defines an internal chamber in communication with the aperture whereby air emitted by the blower mechanism passes through the internal chamber and exits the aperture. The tapered body segment of the bristle members may include a ceramic coating.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with references to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hair styling apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view in partial cross-section of the hair styling apparatus taken along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a bristle member of the hair styling apparatus;

FIGS. 4-5 are front and side elevational views, respectively, of the bristle member;

FIG. 6 is an axial plan view of the bristle member;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the hair styling apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective and front elevational views, respectively, of the bristle member of the embodiment of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar components throughout the several views, FIGS. 1-2 illustrate the hair styling apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In this embodiment, hair styling apparatus is a hair brush or comb.

Hair styling apparatus 10 includes handle 12, head member 14 connected to, or integrally formed, with the handle 12 and a plurality of bristle members 16 mounted to the head member 14. Handle 12 may define a contoured outer surface 18 to facilitate engagement by the user. Head member 14 defines longitudinal axis “k” and may be generally square, oval, round or any other in shape when viewed in plan. Head member 14 defines front and rear faces or surfaces 20, 22, respectively. Bristle members 16 extend in general transverse relation to the longitudinal axis “k” as will be discussed.

With reference to FIGS. 3-6, in conjunction with FIGS. 1-2, bristle members 16 are dimensioned to massage the scalp of the user while providing an increased or enhanced surface area to facilitate grooming of the hair and deposition of hair treatment material to the hair strands or cuticles. Each bristle member 16 includes base segment 24, mounting segment 26 extending contiguously from the base segment 24 and bristle segment 28 extending contiguously from the mounting segment 22. Bristle members 16 may be monolithically formed from a polymeric material by known injection molding techniques. In the alternative, bristle members 16 may comprise a metallic material such as stainless steel or the like. Each base segment 24 may define a generally rectangular or square configuration, and is received within a correspondingly opening 30 (FIG. 2) within front face 20 of head member 14 to mount each bristle member 16 relative to the head member 14. In one embodiment, each base segment 24 may flex, bend or be distorted to pass through the internal surfaces defining each opening 30, and then return to its original shape once it clears the opening 30. Each opening 30 may be substantially similar in configuration to mounting segment 22 of bristle member 16 to secure the respective bristle member 16 in a predetermined orientation within head member 14. In the mounted condition, base segment 24 is accommodated within a void 32 (FIG. 2) defined beneath front face 20, or between the front and rear faces 20, 22 of head member 14. Other means for connecting bristle members 16 to head member 14 are also envisioned.

Bristle segment 28 of bristle member 16 is substantially flat or planar having tapered body segment 34. Tapered body segment 34 includes opposed planar and parallel first and second faces 36 interconnected by tapered sides 38. Tapered body segment 34 defines a maximum dimension or width “m” at a first end segment 40 adjacent head member 14 and a minimum dimension or width “b” at second remote end segment 42 which is remote from the head member 14. In one embodiment, the ratio of the widths m:b ranges from about 3:1 to about 4:1. In one embodiment, “m” ranges from about 4 millimeters to about 6 millimeters, preferably, about 5.0 millimeters, and “b” ranges from about 1 millimeter to about 2 millimeters, preferably, about is about 1.5 millimeters. This arrangement of tapered body segment 34 of bristle member 16 presents a substantially large surface area which contacts the hair cuticles as the bristle members 16 are combed through the hair.

Tapered body segment 34 may define a linear taper or may be non linear. The second remote end segment 42 defines a narrow profile and may have an arcuate or rounded surface 44 to enhance the massaging effect of bristle members on the scalp of the user. Bristle members 16 may be coated, e.g., on first and second faces 36 of tapered body segments 34, with a hair treatment agent or solution including, but, not limited to gels, mousse, coloring, dyes, keratin or the like. Tapered sides 38 of tapered body segments 34 may be arcuate or rounded to provide an atraumatic surface and facilitate passage through the subject's hair.

With reference again to FIGS. 1-2, bristle members 16 may be arranged in longitudinal rows 16 a on head member 14 whereby first and second faces 36 of the bristle members 16 are in general transverse relation to longitudinal axis “k”. In one embodiment, first and second faces 36 of bristle members 16 are in general orthogonal relation to longitudinal axis “k”. This arrangement of bristle members 16 will present an increased surface area or profile with first and second faces 36 providing relatively large contacting surfaces coming into contact with the hair cuticles or strands of the subject. This facilitates the combing process as head member 14 is pulled or pushed through the hair in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis “k”, and will enhance application of the hair treatment solutions to the hair cuticles. Any number (e.g., at least two, three, four or more) of longitudinal rows of bristle members 16 may be mounted to head member 14. Bristle members 16 of each row 16 a may be in general longitudinal alignment. Adjacent bristle members 16 of adjacent longitudinal rows 16 a may be in general orthogonal alignment.

FIGS. 7-9 illustrate an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure. In accordance with this embodiment, hair styling apparatus 100 is in the form of a hair dryer including handle member 102 and head member 104 extending contiguously from the handle member 102. Handle member 102 and/or head member 104 may have incorporated therein heater mechanism 106 and blower mechanism 108 shown schematically in FIG. 7 to dispense heated air from head member 104. Heater mechanism 106 and blower mechanism 108 may be any conventional heater and blower known in the art.

Hair styling apparatus 100 further includes bristle attachment 110. Bristle attachment 110 may be releasably connected to head member 104 as shown or may be integrally formed or permanently secured to head member 104. Any means for releasably securing bristle attachment 110 to head member 104 are envisioned including via a friction fit, snap fit or the like. Bristle attachment 110 includes a plurality of bristle members 112. Bristle members 112 are similar to bristle members 16 described in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7; however, bristle member 112 may include at least one, possibly two, apertures 114, 116 Apertures 114, 116 facilitate concurrent distribution of air flow and heat circulation from heater and blower mechanisms 106, 108 to enhance hair styling and hair setting. Apertures 114, 116 may be the same size in diameter, or, in one embodiment, have different diameter sizes. For example, the diameter of aperture 114 may be greater than the diameter of aperture 116 to provide greater hair flow adjacent the scalp area during use. In accordance with one further aspect, bristle members 112 may be at least partially hollow to define an internal chamber 118 (shown in phantom) whereby heated air is distributed though the interior of the base through internal chamber 118 to exits apertures 114, 116. In this embodiment, base segment 120 of bristle member 112 defines an opening 122 (shown in phantom) in communication with internal chamber 118 to receive the heated air to passed through the internal chamber 118 and out apertures 114, 116. Bristle members 112 may have any of the hair treatment solutions or coatings identified hereinabove. It is also envisioned that bristle members 112 may have a ceramic coating which will emit ions or increase the emission of ions to smooth or soften the hair making it easier to manage and style. The ceramic materials also provide enhanced performance in terms of heat transfer, retention and distribution.

Although the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, the above description, disclosure, and figures should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. For example, the bristle member of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7 may be incorporated into the embodiment of FIGS. 8-10 and vice versa. It is to be understood, therefore, that the disclosure is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hair styling apparatus, which comprises: a head member defining a longitudinal axis: and a plurality of bristle members mounted to the head member, at least some of the bristle members each having an elongated generally tapered body segment, the tapered body segment defining a dimension at a first end segment proximal the head member greater than a corresponding dimension at a second end segment remote from the head member.
 2. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tapered body segment includes one planar side extending between the first end segment and the second end segment.
 3. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the tapered body segment includes first and second opposed planar sides.
 4. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the first and second planar sides are arranged in general orthogonal relation to the longitudinal axis of the head member.
 5. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tapered body segment is dimensioned to define a substantially linear taper.
 6. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tapered body segment includes a coating, the coating for facilitating styling of hair.
 7. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the second end segment of the at least some of the bristle members defines a narrow profile and being dimensioned to massage a scalp of a user.
 8. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the second end segment of the at least some of the bristle members are dimensioned and configured to massage a scalp of a user.
 9. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the second end segment defines a substantially arcuate end surface.
 10. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 1 including at least two rows of bristle members.
 11. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 1 including a handle member connected to the head member.
 12. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 11 including a heater mechanism and a blower mechanism, the blower mechanism arranged to deliver air through the head member.
 13. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the tapered body segment of the at least some of the bristle members includes an aperture to facilitate circulation of air emitted by the blower mechanism.
 14. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the tapered body segment includes two apertures.
 15. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the tapered body segment defines an internal chamber in communication with the aperture whereby air emitted by the blower mechanism passes through the internal chamber and exits the aperture.
 16. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the tapered body segment of the at least some of the bristle members includes a ceramic coating. 